4 Productivity Hacks for People with Short Attention Spans

We’ve lost almost 70% of our focus in 20 years: the average attention span on a screen has shrunk from 2.5 minutes to just 47 seconds. Constant notifications and endless short-form content are costing us time, money, and opportunities.

As Google searches for “how to improve concentration” hit 91K in the past month — a 595% yearly increase — Jaimee Campanella, Time Strategist and Productivity Consultant at RiseGuide, shares practical hacks to reclaim your attention:

Turn tasks into structured wins

Attention is less about discipline and more about how engaging a task feels. The brain just doesn't want to start on what seems too big and undefined. Instead of pushing yourself harder, try to break your work down into smaller tasks that can be accomplished within a 10-15 minute period. Make sure each task has a well-defined end goal, such as "respond to 3 emails," as opposed to "clean my inbox." This makes it much easier to actually start. And once you start, it’s much easier to continue. 

Use movement as a focus tool

Focus is a dynamic and ever-changing thing. Moving your body a little can often help your brain work better. For example, if you walk during a conference call or move while brainstorming, you may think more clearly and remember better. When you feel that your focus is slipping, you may use some simple forms of movement: stand up, stretch, walk around, or play with something in your hands. Rather than "losing focus," you are supporting it in a different way.

Switch tasks on purpose

Traditional advice says you shouldn’t switch between tasks. But for some people, that can actually create more resistance. Instead of forcing yourself to focus on one thing for a long time, try planning your transitions. Going back and forth between two similar tasks within a short timeframe can help re-engage your attention. For example, you might write something, take a moment to reread what you just wrote, and then continue writing. The key is to shift your focus intentionally and not reactively. This helps you manage time more effectively, rather than feeling pulled away from your schedule.

Picture ideas to remember them better

When your concentration is low, it's generally more difficult to remember things. An effective strategy of enhancing recall is linking new information to visuals or objects that you know well. For example, if you are trying to remember some key points, try picturing them in specific rooms of your house, as that will help you locate them in your memory. This method, also known as Memory Palace, is effective because the brain has a tendency to remember images and locations far better than a simple list.